Four SoCBs disbursing Tk 7.56b loans to tanners

Siddique Islam Four state-owned commercial banks (SoCBs) have started disbursing around Tk 7.56 billion as loans among tanners to help them procure raw hide of sacrificial animals during Eid-ul-Azha. Only those parties, who already repaid their earlier dues, are qualified for fresh loans in line with the existing guidelines issued by the SoCBs. Under the guidelines, those who failed to repay their previous loans will not be entitled to the fresh credit for purchase of raw hide, according to SoCB officials. The Sonali Bank Limited has already approved Tk 910 million against three parties to help them purchase the raw hide during the Eid. "We've asked our branches concerned to take necessary measures for disbursement of the loans to the clients," a senior official of the Sonali Bank told the FE Thursday. He also said the Sonali Bank provided Tk 705 million to the same parties for the same purpose in 2012. The management of the Janata Bank Limited has already sanctioned Tk 5.05 billion as loans against 39 parties this year for the purpose. "We've already started disbursement of the loans to the clients," a senior official of the Janata Bank said. The state-owned bank provided Tk 3.72 billion to 22 parties for the same purpose in 2012, he added. The Agarni Bank Limited is set to provide Tk 1.10 billion as loans this year to three parties. Talking to the FE, a senior official of the Agrani Bank said Tk 945 million was approved by the board of directors and the rest of the loans might be approved in Sunday's board meeting. The Rupali Bank Limited has decided to provide around Tk 500 million to four clients. "We're now working on disbursement of the loans to our clients for purchase of the raw hides," a senior official of the Rupali Bank said. He also said the bank disbursed around Tk 400 million to the same parties for the same purpose in 2012.